Adjustable wedge.



J. B. SWAN.

ADJUSTABLE WEDGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. I915 1,%39,53& PatentedSept. 11,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I WM- W L/in .5. Jim/am.

J. B. SWAN.

ADJUSTABLE WEDGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. 1915.

1 %39,53& Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

John 5 (Tn/an a on.

JOHN RSWAN, OF GLADSTONE, MICHIGAN.

ADJUSTABLE WEDGE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. SWAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Gladstone, in the county of Delta and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Wedges, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an adjustable wedge for the driving box of locomotives, which is so constructed as to provide for the play of the driving box when the engine is passing over uneven portions of a track and which is so constructed as to prolong the life of the device thereby rendering the same more eficient in operation and eliminating the danger of the device becoming broken due to usage.

Another object of this invention is the produotion of an adjustable wedge for the driving box of an engine, wherein the shoe used. in connection therewith may be tightened upon the drive box when the same becomes loose due to wear, whereby the drive box will be held, in its correct position so as to efficiently operate at all times.

Another object of this invention is the production of an adjustment for the shoes of the driving box, whereby the shoes may move to their correct engagement with the driving box when so desired, these shoes being so constructed as to carry the weight and prevent the weight from being imparted to the adjustment means thereof.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a detailed perspective view of the assembled device illustrating the manner in which the drive box is used.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the assembled device, illustrating the adjustment for the shoes.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line H of Fi 2. t

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of one Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept,- 111, 11937, Application filed November 30, 1915. Serial No. 64,306.

of the shoes showing the wedge positioned therein.

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the wedge.

Fig. 8*is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the retainin straps, illustrating the manner in which the ad usting bolt is supported. 4

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that the device is 5 used in connection with the ordinary engine frame 1, having the opening 2 formed therein. This openin 2 has a straight side wall 3 and a slanting side wall 4. The shoes 5 and 6 are mounted within the opening 2and are provided with side flanges 7 which overhang theouter side surfaces of the engine frame 1, whereby the shoes are prevented from moving laterally from the inner portions of the opening 2. It will be noted by referring particularly to Fig. 2 that the body portions of the shoes 5 and 6 extend from the upper portions of the engine frame 1 to a point adjacent the lower portions thereof.

The driving box 8 is provided with straight sidesurfaces 9 which are adapted to bear upon the inner surfaces of the bodies 5 and 6 of the shoes. This driving box 8 is provided with the depending side portions 10 having notches 11 formed therein. The semi-circular opening 12 formed in the driving wheel 8 1s adapted to contain a section 13 of the bushing. In order to close the lower portions of the driving box 8 there is rovided a block 14: having the side rib 15 ormed thereon which are adapted to register so as to fit within the notches 11 formed in the depending side portions 10 of the driving box 8. This block 14:

is provided with a semi-circular socket l't 95 which is adapted to carry a section 18 of the bushing, whereby the two sections 13 and 18 together will form a circular opening within which one end of the journal or axle of the drive wheels of the locomotive is adapted to 100 be carried. Inorder to retain this block 14.- within the driving box there are carried a plurality of rods 19 which pass through the depending portions 10 of the box 8 and also through the lower portions of the block 14 105 whereby the block 14 will be held against moving from engagement with the driving box 8, while the coiiperation of the ribs 15 a and the sockets 11 will support the weight of the blocks 14:. The side flanges 20 extend 119 p from the box 8 in such a manner as to overhang the flanges 7 so as to ride thereon, as the driving box moves upwardly and downwardly within the opening 2 formed in the driving frame 1 of the engine.

In order to close the lower portions of this opening 2 for retaining the shoes 5 and 6 within the opening, there is provided a strap 21 which fits thereon and which is 10 provided with the pockets 22 for the purpose of receiving the lugs 23 formed integral upon the frame 1, whereby the strap 21 will be held from creeping along the frame. This strap 21 may be secured to the frame 1 in any suitable manner so as to prevent its accidental disengagement. It will be noted that this strap is slightly wider than the frame 1 and, therefore, the side 7 flanges 7 of the shoes 5 and 6 will rest thereon, so that the entire weight of these shoes will be supported by this strap.

When the axle or journal of the drive wheels is carried within the bushings ofthe driving box, the weight of the engine will be carried upon the upper portions of -the driving box in any suitable manner, not deemed necessary to be herein disclosed, so

that while the weight of the engine body will be imparted by means of the driving box to the axle and then to the drive wheels,

the frame 1 will be carried also upon the engine body in such a manner as to allow the driving box to impart driving motion imparted thereto by means of the driving wheels and axles. Since considerable play is allowed the driving box within the opening 2 formed in the frame 1, it will be seen that it may be easily moved upwardly and downwardly when the locomotive is passing over uneven surfaces in the track. This continued wear will, of course, cause the shoes to be worn as well as the driving box so that lateral play would be allowed if some means were not provided for the purpose of binding these shoes upon the box so as to take up the wear.

It will be noted by referring particularly to Fig. 2 that the shoe 5 will rest snuglv upon the vertical face 3 of the frame 1,

while the shoe 6 will be spaced at a. distance from the slanting. side 4 of the driving frame 1. The adjusting wedge 22 is positioned within this space and is rovided with a straight side face 23' which bears upon the inner portions of the shoe 6, while the slanting face 24 will engage the slanting portion 4 of the driving frame 1. This wedge 22 tapers toward its upper end; therefore its base portion is wider. A bore 25 extends through this lower end and is substantially rectangular in cross-section. A slot 26 however, is also formed in the lower end communicating with the bore, so that when the wedge is in use the adjusting bolt 5 27 will allow its head 28 to fit within the bore 25, while thebolt will pass downwardly through the slot 26. The strap 21 is provided with an elongated vertical slot 29 formed in alinement with the slanting wall 4 of the driving frame 1. Therefore, the bolt 27 passes through this slot 29 so as to allow its threaded end 30 to depend for a considerable distance beneath the strap 21. A bracket 31 has its body portion spaced at a distance from the lower portions of the strap 21, and is secured thereto by means of the retaining screws 32 which pass through the lateral flaps 33 resting upon the lower portions ofthe strap 21. This bracket 31 is also provided with a longitudinal slot 34 formed so as to register with the slot 29 formed in the strap 21. Therefore, the threaded end 30 of the bolt 27 passes through this slot 34 and has the adjusting nuts 35 threaded thereon, whereby one nut will engage the inner surface of the bracket 31, while the remaining nut will engage the outer surface of the bracket, thereby retaining the, bolt in an adjusted set position.

,As the shoes and driving box become worn due to the riding of the drivlng box wlthln .for holding the wedge in its adjusted set position. It will be seen that there is not any weight uponthe adjusting bolt 27 with the exception of the wedge 22, inasmuch as the strain will be taken up by the wedge 22 and imparted to the frame 1, while the supporting weight will be imparted through the shoes 5 and 6 to the strap 21.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a very simple and eflicient adjusting wedge has been provided for taking up the play caused between the shoes and driving box of the driving frame of a locomotive, while the device is so constructed as to allow the driving box to move freely when passing over uneven surfaces, the device reducing the jar caused by the vibrations of the uneven surfaces, while the overhanging-flaps will positively retain the elements in their correct assembled position when in use.

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame having an opening formed therein, one side of said opening having a straight wall and the other side of said opening having a slanting wall, a strap aaaaeae carried upon the lower portions of said frame for closing the lower portions of said opening, a shoe carried adjacent each side of said opening, each shoe comprising a vertical body having its lower end resting upon said strap and its upper end fitting snugly upon the upper portions of said frame within said opening, parallel side flanges formed integral upon each shoe, said sigle flanges overhanging the side portions of said frame for holding said shoes against accidental displacement, a driving box slidably mounted Within said opening and bearing upon said shoes, said driving box having a block, said box and block being provided with an axle receiving opening, a Wedge interposed within said opening between the slanting wall and one of said shoes, said wedge having a flat horizontal bore extending through its lower end, said wedge having a slot extending through its lower end, said slot extending longitudinally of and communicating with said bore, a bolt having a flat head, said head fitting within said bore and said bolt extending through said slot, said strap being provided with an elongated vertical slot, a U-shaped bracket secured upon the lower portions of said strap, said bracket having a slot formed therein, the slot of said bracket registering with the slot of said strap and the slot of said strap registering with the slot of said wedge, whereby said bolt will extend through all of said slots, binding nuts screwed upon said bolt and bearing upon each side of said bracket, whereby said bolt may be urged upwardly and held in a fixed position so that the wedge may ride upwardly upon said walls for moving one of said shoes toward the remaining shoe for taking up play caused by the wearing of said driving box and said.

slots being provided so as to permit said bolt to be moved longitudinally of said slots, whereby said bolt head will be retained at all times under the central portion of said wedge even when the wedge is riding upwardly upon said slanting wall, whereby supporting strain caused by the resting of the wedge upon the head of the bolt will be evenly distributed upon the bolt.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a frame having an opening formed therein, one side of said opening having a straight wall and the other side of said opening having a slanting wall, a strap carried upon the lower portion of said frame for closing the lower portions of said.

opening, a shoe carried adjacent each side of said opening, means for holding said shoes against accidental displacement, a driving box slidably mounted within said opening and bearing upon said shoes, said box having an axle receiving opening, a wedge inclosed in said opening between the slanting wall and one of said shoes, said wedge having a flat horizontal bore extending through its lower end, said wedge having a slot extending through its lower end, said slot extending longitudinally of and communicating with said bore, a bolt having a flat head, said head fitting within said bore and said bolt extending through said slot, said strap being provided with an elongated vertical slot, a U-shaped bracket secured upon the .lower portions of said strap, said bracket having a slot formed therein, the slot of said bracket registering with the slot of said strap and the slot of said strap registering with the slot of said wedge, whereby said bolt will extend through all of said slots, binding nuts screwed upon said bolt and bearing upon each side of said bracket whereby said bolt may be urged upwardly and held in a fixed position so that thewedge may ride upwardly upon the said slanting wall by moving one of said shoes towardthe remaining shoe for taking up play caused by the wearing of said driving box, and said slots being provided so as to permit said bolt to be moved longitudinally of said slots whereby said bolt head will be retained at all times under the central portion of said wedge whereby supporting strain caused by the resting of the wedge upon the head of the bolt will be evenly distributed upon the bolt.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature. 1

JOHN B. SWAN. In the presence of EDITH JAcKsoN, GLENN W. JAoKsoN. 

